Comments about Leica D-LUX 3 Digital Camera (Black):

Recommended item, easy function.

Comments about Leica D-LUX 3 Digital Camera (Black):

I was hesitant to get this camera, being SO compact and all, but decided to give it a shot (pardon the pun), considering Leica's reputation.

This is an AMAZING camera. Easy to use (wife friendly), good optics and also fully manual for the more advanced users. It seems like a fairly rugged construction too, although I have not really pushed it yet.

I am very pleased with this camera, and will recommend it to anyone!

Comments about Leica D-LUX 3 Digital Camera (Black):

So far it takes great photos, its small enough to use everyday and looks amazing.

Comments about Leica D-LUX 3 Digital Camera (Black):

I sold almost all of my film equipment a few years ago but kept my Leica M6. That I'll never sell. So I was very curious to see this great little compact Leica that I can put in my pocket and take with me everywhere. So far I've used it traveling, at cocktail parties and hiking in the woods.
I love the different formats you can shoot, 16:9, 3:2 and 4:3.
The battery seems to last forever and the pictures turn out great. There is the tiniest bit of lag time when you want to see what you just shot and it's not great in low light, but other than that, I'm still a Leica snob and will always be one. Love it, thanks!

Comments about Leica D-LUX 3 Digital Camera (Black):

The 9:16 aspect ratio is great and the camera is an excellent companion to the kit of DSLR gear I have but can't take everywhere with me on a daily basis.

Comments about Leica D-LUX 3 Digital Camera (Black):

Very lightweight, but also sturdy. Great optics.

Comments about Leica D-LUX 3 Digital Camera (Black):

But what great photos, and that is what it is all about.
It does make you work if you want to flash, on the other side its not going to flash when you don't want it, and it can be a little (no a really slow/lag) happens when shooting in flash...Other features work as promissed, I have already use it to automotive shoot, inside and out, and results were as good, as if they were shot with my other equipment.
I like it.

Comments about Leica D-LUX 3 Digital Camera (Black):

I love this camera. It produces great images. Does have lots of manual features for the more experienced photographer. Excellent construction.

Comments about Leica D-LUX 3 Digital Camera (Black):

Lense cap is annoying. Avoid ISO 400 - noticeable grain or noise. Lag time -- too long. When shooting in low light place the camera on something solid. But man, you can do wonders with the camera...if you got the eye of the tiger. Hopefully the D-lux4 will have that little whole in which to look through...remember that ...because I try not look like a tourist when looking at the LCD as I try to frame and block the glare caused by the sun.

Comments about Leica D-LUX 3 Digital Camera (Black):

An overlooked item in the comparison of the Leica Dlux-3 with the Panasonic Lumix LX2 is that the Leica comes with Photoshop Elements, whereas the Panasonic does not. I found myself spending less money for the Lumix only to have to purchase PS Elements separately. I own a Leica Dlux-2 and (after drowning my Lumix LX2 in a pool) I have just ordered a Dlux-3,.

Expertise: Advanced amateur

Problems Encountered: Digital noise above ISO 200.

Previous Equivalent Item Owned: Dlux-2, Panasonic Lumix LX2

Comments about Leica D-LUX 3 Digital Camera (Black):

The D-Lux 3 is one of the best, if not the best point andshoot cameras out there. The quality of the images isastounding for starters. As long as you keep the ISO at 100.Noise is noticeable even at the next stop up at ISO 200though, and if you are shooting in color, going above ISO200 is not an option. But this is the only majorshort-coming I have found in this camera which I have ownedfor about two months now.The screen is large and vivid, and offers a high angleoption allowing the screen to be seen from odd angles above.The menus are easy to manage and all the information youneed can be displayed or only the necessities if you want.But, there is no optical viewfinder, so you will always haveto use the screen to frame your shots, which shouldn't bemuch of a problem for the most part since it is easy to seein bright sunlight.The lens is great and as large as much bulkier cameras. Thisis the major selling point of the D-Lux 3, that it is socompact.****This is the major problem with the D-Lux 3: The price.It is $600, the same price as the quality DLSR, Sony Alpha100. And on top of that there is an identical camera byPanasonic, the DMC-LX2, which has the same lens andapproximate size that is $200 cheaper. The only differencesbetween the D-Lux 3 and the LX2 are that the D-Lux 3 looksbetter, slightly better JPG images on the D-Lux 3, andPhotoshop Elements is bundled with the D-Lux 3. Nothing hugebut the Leica D-Lux 3 not worth the $200 if the name and/orlooks in a camera don't matter to you.If you are looking for a digital camera to carry around orslip into your pocket when you do not want to have yourbulky SLR with you, this (or the LX2) is your best choice.

Expertise: Amateur

Problems Encountered: Poor low-light performance.

Comments about Leica D-LUX 3 Digital Camera (Black):

I recently purchased a Leica D-LUX 3 at Tamarkin. I purchased the camera hoping for an always-available, go anywhere digital camera. I planned to use it to create RAW images that would be converted in Photoshop to b&w.I like it. I have photographed some test scenes both available light, and at night with the on-board flash to closely simulate the types of scenes that I'd photograph with my 10D and accessories. The image quality of the D-LUX 3 is very nice for a small sensor camera. Available daylight shots at ISO 200 impart a just barely perceptible noise that for me is a non-issue. In theses situations you'd need a ridiculously close viewing distance with a magnifier to see the image noise on a 9-by-16 inch inkjet b&w print. It is noisier than the images from my 10D, but not noticeably so. The night scenes shot with the on-board flash at ISO 400 give up about 1.5 to 2.5 stops when compared to my 10D in the area of image noise, but this may have almost as much to do with the weak digicam on- board flash as with the sensor. Night images at ISO 400 have about the same amount of noise as night images on the 10D shot anywhere from ISO 800 to ISO 1600. I don't think that's bad considering the two cameras are intended for vastly different usage. Night images with flash out of the D-LUX 3 at ISO 400 have a noise very similar to the grain pattern of a well-exposed TMZ print exposed around ISO 1600. The night images look good, if you don't mind tightly structured noise/grain. I'm very happy with the 9-by-16's I've been able to produce for both day and night images from the D-LUX 3. The D-LUX 3 has a straightforward user interface. Just a brief consultation with the manual will get you where you need to be to use the camera effectively. Those experiencing the D-LUX 3 as their first digital camera may have a slightly longer learning curve due to disparities in technologies, but this would be true of any digital camera. The huge LCD is very nice. My main interest is shooting RAW to create black-and-white prints. Here, the D-LUX 3 excels. It allows the photographer to shoot in RAW while at the same time recording and displaying to the LCD a JPG image in black-and-white. Sure, its not fine-tuned black-and-white, but the LCD preview and recorded image give the photographer a decent working knowledge of the relationship of black-and- white shadows and highlights. Time between RAW image exposures takes forever; it is deathly slow in this regard. However, shutter lag (the time between achieving focus and tripping the shutter) is nearly non-existent. Once focus is achieved the exposure is made quickly. The D-LUX 3 is much better in this regard than I expected for it to be. I really enjoy using the D-LUX 3. The design of the D-Lux 3 is simple and uncluttered. Controls for those used to working with a digital camera is intuitive. The look of the camera - for those of you who are interested in this sort of thing - is spiritdaily elegant. Its definitely in the tradition of Leica's simplicity of design, but it reminds me even more of a what a digital Contax T3 might have been. Overall, the D-LUX 3 has exceeded every reasonable expectation I had of its ability to record high quality RAW images with a short (read non-existent) shutter lag time. The time between RAW exposures due to slow write time does not bother me, but I've included it here as it may be a deal breaker for some. If you are on the fence about this one as I was, I say go for it. The quality of the D-LUX 3 will exceed your expectations.

Expertise: Expert

Problems Encountered: The D-LUX 3 is not perfect. The RAW write time is excessive. There should be an accessory shoe for a more powerful flash and/or and auxiliary viewfinder. Also, when the optical image stabilization function is disabled, you get a contant glowing red icon on the LCD to let you know that its off. I hate that. When its on, there is no icon. I use mode 2, which employs OIS only at the time of exposure.

Previous Equivalent Item Owned: Panasonic Lumix FZ7

Items I Recommend: Lexar 2GB SD Card, Voigtlander 28/35 Viewfinder

Comments about Leica D-LUX 3 Digital Camera (Black):

After signing up to be notified when the camera came in black and clicking on the link only to have it sold out that quickly, I must say it was worth the wait.It is a jewel and Leica has hit a home run. Very sharp lens with a great little joystick that is neat for running through your shots. Battery is a fast charger and I was thrilled when I downloaded my first card in Adobe Lightroom. The screen is nice and big for those of us that have remove our trifocals to view conventional LCD screens.The little shutter sound when you take a shot is quite cute.Very nice finish on the camera, feels nice. The black is quite handsome. String of pearls and you are ready for the night shoot.I wanted a camera that shot RAW, was at least 10MP (My primary camera is a Nikon D2X) fit in a briefcase and would give me an image I could work with as a pro. Love the 16:9 ratio. The flash is surprisingly powerful.I carry it with me all the time.Worth the wait, I now can't say I wish I had a camera anymore.

Problems Encountered: Little noisy at 400 but Lightroom does a better job than Adobe Camera RAW in CS2 with noise reduction. Slow download from camera but an external card reader did the trick.

Previous Equivalent Items Owned: Nikon L2

Items I Recommend: External reader, Leica spare battery

Comments about Leica D-LUX 3 Digital Camera (Black):

I am a professional photographer, and have been waiting for a simple pocket size camera with sensible controls, a big file, and good quality. This is the one.Image quality is good enough to produce images that can be used professionally if needed. Raw file helps here. The camera feels solid, and performs dependably. Slow, but that is expected in a point and shoot. Nice lens.I actually liked it so much that I bought another and gave the first one to my wife.

Problems Encountered: Unfortunately the second one I bought (not from B&H!) was dead right out of the box - which was a problem since I bought it in Vegas and was now in LA... I am waiting to see what Leica does. The first one bought from B&H was perfect.Slow writing to the cards. Leica should have put a bigger buffer in.

Previous Equivalent Items Owned: Just about every Canon, Leica, Nikon and Hasselblad item ever made..

Items I Recommend: talent

Comments about Leica D-LUX 3 Digital Camera (Black):

This camera is superb in every manner one could hope for a point and shoot. Tack sharp and infinite flexibility. I am truly amazed. The optional leather case (just try to find one) is gorgeous. I can't imagine anyone not loving this little Leica!!!Trust me that I know quality, a Leica devotee for over 20 years, (including the M8) I have also owned 25 or so digital SLR and point & shoot cameras including professional Canon digital SLR'S.

Problems Encountered: No problems but the design of the wrist strap should have included a feature to tighten around the wrist like the Canon Elph and others. Having a lens cap for a point and shoot is a bit annoying but a minor nit.

Previous Equivalent Items Owned: Currently own Leica M8, Canon Mark II (soon Mark III), Canon Elph. Previously many others...

Items I Recommend: Leather case (it is fabulous) and a cheap one for bad weather. Spare battery.

Comments about Leica D-LUX 3 Digital Camera (Black):

Good camera but a little over hyped. I actually killed a man to get one early (just kidding) and found it fun for a few minutes. A good camera but let the glass is half empty guy point out a few things here. First off it will be a lot smaller than you expect. Second that lens does not say zeiss on it. I think it is made by panasonic. Third, although it has a big lcd screen on back there is no eye hole to look thru. Very modern hugh? Well its not good when you are in bright sun and are trying to compose a picture. Basically all you see is this dark screen. Point and shoot though. I guess that is what leicas have always been about. On other thing on the point and shoot thing. It is still slow to lock onto the subject and fire so rest assured you will be sure to catch the 1 or 2 after the defining moment. Perhaps you can make a coffee table book called 2.1 seconds after the defining moment? Well all in all despite my negative rants the camera is still the best POINT AND SHOOT OUT THERE but do know that this camera is not exactly the holy grail or missing link.

Problems Encountered: If you lose the battery dont panic. You can get a cheap panasonic one and just about any store as they are the same camera design and probably made in the same factory

Previous Equivalent Items Owned: I had a 7 meg cannon

Items I Recommend: spare battery and dont lose the lens cap

Comments about Leica D-LUX 3 Digital Camera (Black):

A perfect camera for those that go out and about and still want a camera to take along with them. I own a Nikon D200 and D80 though because of the hassle to carry the larger cameras I carry my D-LUX 3 everywhere with my matching Leica leather case. Excellent focal lengths and awesome macro ability. I love the MEGA-OIS. The wide sensor is what sold it, though. The manual controls on this camera are dead on. I love having full creative control over my pictures. Above all, however, is that little red Leica button on the front. What a conversation starter!

Problems Encountered: Slow USB transfer and finding a case is next to impossible. Leica cases were back ordered forever!

Items I Recommend: Leica leather case, some large capacity SD card

Comments about Leica D-LUX 3 Digital Camera (Black):

The Leica d-lux 3 is my first digatal camera.I am true fan of film and all the other P/S cameras made me feel like I was learning a new language. The D-Lux is completely user friendly. Clean design and sharp lens. Manuel features and raw are another plus. It feels good to use this camera and instead of thinking what button you need to push, you focus on what you are seeing. I was a little lost at first without a viewfinder but within a day it didn't matter any more. High noise above 100 asa??? Well I never shot film above 100 asa so this is not an issue for me....A Gorgeous Camera.....

Problems Encountered: Nothing yet.......

Previous Equivalent Items Owned: Contax, Nikon 35T

Comments about Leica D-LUX 3 Digital Camera (Black):

Panoramic images in 10 megapixels with RAW mode is simply unbelievable.In low light you are going to get good results if you use a tripod.On screen alignment grids, manual focus with zoom are very helpfull.The wide end 28mm (equiv. to a 35mm camera) is also superb.Design and finish are impressive.Highly recommended.

Problems Encountered: Slow usb transfer rate. Clumsy lens cap. Instruction manual should say that you need Adobe Camera Raw plugin for Raw processing and it should have been supplied with the Photoshop Elements CD.

Previous Equivalent Items Owned: Leica M6 & 35mm/2 Asph. lens

Items I Recommend: A 2GB fast SD card, a pouch/case and an extra battery.

Comments about Leica D-LUX 3 Digital Camera (Black):

I don't own it yet, but I have the Panasonic FX-07. Under the cover, the Leica shares the same electronics as the FX-07, but with higher rez CCD and a bigger lens. Both cameras have phenomenal features, including wide-angle lens (28mm equiv), wide-angle stills and videos, bright screen, optical image stabilization and safe-zoom to extend the effective zoom at lower resolutions without degrading quality.The real downside is the noise level and exposure issues of the Panasonic engine. It can result in noisy and sometimes washed out images in certain extreme exposure situations.

Problems Encountered: Exposure problems and noise.

Previous Equivalent Items Owned: Panasonic FX-07

Items I Recommend: Extra Battery